The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1887-10-13
FAVORABLE TO DIVISION.
Hon. Frank r. Aikens Dishes Up An
Interesting Letter on the
Division Question.
An Able Argument to the Ene ct That
State Internally Divided Can
not Become Well asOv. .
erned State.
FROM MIR. AIKENs.

erned state.
FROM MIR. AIKENs.
EDITOR ADvOCATE:-The time is
fast approaching when the opportu-
nifty will be afforded the electors of Da
kota to express their preference at the
polls on the question of the division OF
this territory. Although the people
through their representatives in the
legislative assemblies and political
conventions have often expressed
their desire for division, yet it has
been urged as argument against the
proposition that never yet has the
question been passed upon when pre-
sented squarely to the people as all is
sue; that is, that such representatives
neither in the legislature nor in terri
torial conventions have been elected
or selected upon the issue of division
or admission as a whole. Taking the
territory as whole this claim is. un-
doubtedly well founded. In south
eastern Dakota, however, it cannot be
denied that the question has entered
into almost every territorial canvass
and has been potent if not a contr0ll-
ing factor in politics for many years.
Thus, in response to the popular de-
mand for general expression, the leg
islative assembly provided by enact
ment for an election to decide this
important question: by ballot.
Whether the idea of referring so
grave question for determination in
an "off year" is a wise one | will not
undertake to discuss. 1t is sufficient
that it is fairly and squarely presented,
and the friends of the measure are
thus bound by, and will be held ac-
countable for, the result. 1t is fact
to be deplored, however, that the many
reasons for a full expression of senti
ment thereupon can not be so geher-
ally presented to the people as it's i'm
portance deserves. The interests
which enter into the conduct of gener-
al elections will be greatly wanting to
get out full vote. In counties where
in "local option" is submitted, that
issue will act as an impetus to attend
the election. But in the general cleo
tion the stump is taken, and it is by
argument that such measures as this,
which, though political in its nature, is
free from that personal interest which
invites office seekers to contribute lib
orally to the campaign fund.- are car
ried.
The matter in issue should be re-
garded as non-partisan, for such it
surely is. 1t is of such nature that
it will be decisive of4he fern of. ex-
istence of powerful community, not
now-not for a term of years-but
more likely forever. The magnitude
of the proposition is SO great, so sig
niiicant, that "party" is lost in its
proper consideration. The final re-
suit will decide the area and define the
boundaries of either one or two great
states. 1t should also decide by con-
gressiOnal action the policy of this
government regarding the admission
of new states into the uniop-that is,
whether the congress or the people
shall decide in what particular form or
size they shall be admitted. No one
who has given this matter thought
will - contend that, because our
boundaries were defined by congress
in the organic act creating us d terri
tory we are thus properly bounded
for a state. The question of sta te-
hood never entered into the consider
alton, construction or passage of that
act. 1t was passed nearly twenty
seven years ago. The knowledge of
Dakota and it's possibilities was SO
vague that it amounted to pure igno-
rance. The most prophetic eye could
not have foreseen its unequalled ad-
vancement, and true it is that nearly
half that time passed before it
was discovered that 1t was destined to
become productive and populous
portion of the northwest. Its devel-
opment during the past seven years in
point Of settlement, production and
material wealth has been wonderful,
and it is not strange that such results
should affect the desirability of it,,
areal conditions. Thus, contend that
congress has no right to consider our
present boundaries from the stand
point of former adjudication, but only
to determine whether or not the ma
jority of the people living within those
boundaries are satisfied with them. 1t
has been represented that certain
prominent members Of the majority in
the house of representatives have COM
planned that our people have never de-
cided for themselves this question, and
=
have expressed their desire to have
them speak, thus implicitly promising
to support the will of the majority. 1t
is to be hoped that in such important
affairs they will conscientiously keep
their promise.
AS / have before stated / regard
this as a non-partisan question. The
life of state is perpetual; of party
transitory. In deciding, ask the vo-
ter to avoid partisan claims and act as
he would on SO great an occasion
where the welfare of his posterity is
the main element to be considered. 1t
is, in fact, a great occasion. It is one
where every man should strive to be a